Continuous reactor and method for manufacturing nanoparticles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a continuous reactor a method for manufacturing nanoparticles. The reactor of the present invention includes: a plurality of first inputs for individually inputting a plurality of reagents; a first mixing part connected to the first inputs to mix the reagents; N number of first reaction units, each comprising a plurality of first diverging channels and a first converging channel to form a channel having the first diverging channels and the first converging channels alternately connected to one another in series for N times of diverging-converging actions, wherein N≧1, and the first diverging channels of a 1 st one of the first reaction units are connected to the first mixing part; and a first output connected to the first converging channel of an N th one of the first reaction units, so as to output a product of nanoparticles.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles, comprising:
 a plurality of first inputs for inputting a plurality of reagents; 
 a first mixing part connected to the first inputs to mix the reagents; 
 N number of first reaction units, each comprising a plurality of first diverging channels and first converging channels to form a diverging-converging channel having the first diverging channels and the first converging channels alternately connected to one another in series for N times of diverging-converging conduits such that the reagents are mixed by the N times of diverging-converging conduits and reacted to form nanoparticles, wherein N≧2, and the first diverging channels of a 1 st  one of the first reaction units are connected to the first mixing part; and 
 a first output connected to the first converging channels of an N th  one of the first reaction units to output the nanoparticles. 
 
     
     
       2. The continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of second inputs for inputting the reagents; 
 a second mixing part connected to the second inputs to mix the reagents; 
 P number of second reaction units, each comprising a plurality of second diverging channels and second converging channels to form a channel having the second diverging channels and the second converging channels alternately connected to one another in series for P times of diverging-converging conduits, such that the reagents are mixed by the P times of diverging-converging conduits and reacted to form nanoparticles, wherein P≧1, and the second diverging channels of the 1 st  one of the second reaction units are connected to the second mixing part; 
 a second output connected to the second converging channels of the P th  one of the second reaction units to output the nanoparticles; and 
 a control part connected to the first inputs and the second inputs to control the input of the reagents. 
 
     
     
       3. The continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 2 , further comprising: a reagent supply part connected to the control part. 
     
     
       4. A method for manufacturing nanoparticles, comprising:
 (A) providing a cationic precursor solution, a surfactant, and a precipitant; 
 (B) mixing the cationic precursor solution, the surfactant, and the precipitant; and 
 (C) diverging and then converging the mixture of the cationic precursor solution, the surfactant, and the precipitant with at least two times of diverging-converging conduits for reaction to form a plurality of nanoparticles, 
 wherein the nanoparticles are obtained by inputting the cationic precursor solution, the surfactant, and the precipitant to a continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles comprising: 
 a plurality of first inputs for inputting a plurality of reagents; 
 a first mixing part connected to the first inputs to mix the reagents; 
 N number of first reaction units, each comprising a plurality of first diverging channels and first converging channels to form a channel having the first diverging channels and the first converging channels alternately connected to one another in series for N times of diverging-converging conduits such that the cationic precursor solution, the surfactant, and the precipitant are mixed by the N times of diverging-converging conduits and reacted to form nanoparticles, wherein N≧2, and the first diverging channels of a 1 st  one of the first reaction units are connected to the first mixing part; and 
 a first output connected to the first converging channels of an N th  one of the first reaction units to output the nanoparticles. 
 
     
     
       5. The method for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 4 , wherein the continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles further comprises:
 a plurality of second inputs for inputting the reagents; 
 a second mixing part connected to the second inputs to mix the reagents; 
 P number of second reaction units, each comprising a plurality of second diverging channels and a second converging channel to form a channel having the second diverging channels and the second converging channels alternately connected to one another in series for P times of diverging-converging actions such that the cationic precursor solution, the surfactant, and the precipitant are mixed by the P times of diverging-converging actions and reacted to form nanoparticles, wherein P≧1, and the second diverging channels of the 1 st  one of the second reaction units are connected to the second mixing part; 
 a second output connected to the second converging channel of the P th  one of the second reaction units to output the nanoparticles; and 
 a control part connected to the first inputs and the second inputs to control the input of the reagents. 
 
     
     
       6. The method for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 5 , wherein the continuous reactor for manufacturing nanoparticles further comprises a reagent supply part connected to the control part. 
     
     
       7. The method for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 4 , wherein the cationic precursor solution is at least one selected from a group consisting of a silver precursor solution, a copper precursor solution, a gold precursor solution, a nickel precursor solution, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       8. The method for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 4 , wherein the precipitant is at least one selected from a group consisting of sodium borohydride, hydrazine, formaldehyde, ascorbic acid, sodium hydrogen phosphite, an alcohol amine, glucose, a hydroxide, a sulfide, a halide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method for manufacturing nanoparticles of  claim 4 , wherein the surfactant is selected from at least a group consisting of: polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, an alkyl sulfate, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkanoate, alkyl ammonium bromide, and a citrate.